Key Facts and Data Points

  • Incidence: NCRB recorded 207 acid attacks in 2023, up from 202 in 2022 and 176 in 2021. Attempted attacks numbered 65 in 2023.
  • Under‑reporting: Independent estimates (ASTI) suggest ~1,000 attacks annually.
  • Geographical hotspots: West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat report the highest numbers, linked to easy acid availability in industrial zones.
  • Conviction statistics (2023): Out of 703 pending cases, only 16 convictions and 27 acquittals were recorded.
  • Legal provisions:
  • Section 124, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (2023) – minimum 10 years’ imprisonment, up to life, plus fine for medical expenses.
  • Attempted attacks – 5 to 7 years’ imprisonment.
  • NALSA (Legal Services to Victims of Acid Attacks) Scheme, 2016 – priority legal aid and counselling.
  • Model Poisons Possession and Sale Rules, 2013 – mandatory ID proof for buyers, purchase registers for sellers.
  • Supreme Court directions:
  • Laxmi v. Union of India (2013) – minimum compensation of Rs 3 lakh (Rs 1 lakh within 15 days).
  • Parivartan Kendra v. Union of India (2015) – enforcement of acid‑sale regulations.

Background and Context

  • Definition: An acid attack involves the deliberate throwing of corrosive substances (e.g., sulphuric, hydrochloric, nitric acid) to cause severe burns, disfigurement, blindness and long‑term disability.
  • Gendered nature: Approximately 75 % of victims are women and girls, while perpetrators are overwhelmingly male, often motivated by personal relationship conflicts, dowry disputes, or domestic abuse.
  • Historical legal response: Prior to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, acid attacks were prosecuted under general injury provisions, leading to inconsistent sentencing.
  • Policy milestones:
  • 2009 Law Commission Report 226 – recommended distinct penal provisions and rehabilitation support.
  • 2013 Supreme Court order – regulated over‑the‑counter sale of acid.
  • 2016 NALSA Scheme – institutionalised legal aid for survivors.

Significance for India / Governance / Policy

  • Public health & social welfare: Survivors require lifelong medical care, psychological counselling and livelihood support, impacting health budgets and social security schemes.
  • Criminal justice reforms: Low conviction rates expose systemic weaknesses – delayed FIRs, poor forensic handling, judicial backlog and victim‑blaming.
  • Regulatory enforcement: Acid sale controls fall under the State List (Poison Act, 1919) but are unevenly implemented, highlighting federal‑state coordination challenges.
  • International comparison: Bangladesh’s strict enforcement (shop closures within 30 days, public awareness) reduced cases from 494 (2002) to 13 (2024), offering a model for India.

Related Constitutional / Legal Provisions

  • Article 21 (Right to Life & Personal Liberty) – courts have interpreted it to include the right to live with dignity, encompassing protection from acid attacks.
  • Article 14 (Equality before law) – mandates non‑discriminatory protection for women.
  • Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 – empowers NALSA to provide free legal aid.
  • Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 – needs amendment to accommodate functional impairments caused by acid burns beyond the 40 % disability threshold.

Recommendations for Effective Prevention & Survivor Support

  • Stricter regulation of acid sale – enforce mandatory ID verification, real‑time digital registers, and penalise non‑compliance of shop owners.
  • Fast‑track courts – dedicated benches for acid‑attack cases with time‑bound trial completion.
  • Judicial sensitisation – gender‑sensitive training for judges, prosecutors and police.
  • Comprehensive survivor fund – national fund (as per Justice JS Verma Committee) for medical, rehabilitation, education and livelihood assistance.
  • Revised compensation mechanism – immediate disbursement of a portion of compensation for emergency treatment, followed by structured instalments for long‑term care.
  • Public awareness campaigns – media drives to de‑stigma survivors and educate citizens on legal repercussions of acid violence.

Drishti Mains Question: Despite stringent laws, acid attacks continue in India. Examine the institutional and judicial factors responsible for low conviction rates.